QRU Match No. 326 - Queensland Rugby Comes Home

Queenslanders are Remembering

QRU Match No. 326 - July 22, 1967

"The land at Ballymore was presented by deed. Thus, the QRU at last acquired its own ground after having surrendered its Bowen Bridge Ground nearly 50 years earlier." Red! Red! Red!

In 1967, Ballymore became the only Union ground owned by an Australian Union, a claim that is still true today.

Teachers and Wests opened play at Ballymore on April 1, 1967 followed by a rematch of the 1966 season Grand Finalists, Brothers and University the next day. Surviving members of all four teams attended a reunion in the McLean Stand in 2017 to celebrate 50 years of Rugby at Ballymore.

"I extend to you all a very warm welcome to our new headquarters at the commencement of the 1967 season. May you, your children and your children's children enjoy many happy and enjoyable days and pleasant associations at Ballymore. May you also form and cement friendships which will last with you a lifetime." W.H. Boyd's President's Welcome, 1967

Early aerial drawing of Ballymore land and surounding suburbs

QRU Match No. 326, against Victoria, was the third capped match at Ballymore, after a 6-12 loss and a 17-11 win against New South Wales. The footage of the Victorian Match shows a well-attended field encircled by cars and a modest stand on the Eastern side.

"Crowds grew and the Union was starting to look forward to a record grade season when the June floods came. The whole area was under water, fences down, the flagpole disappeared up-river and the revenue from the next five playing fixtures was lost. Number One field was dug up and put down again but in a much more even fashion. Holes were dug, piles were poured and a grandstand started to take shape." Red! Red! Red!

"During the Summer Jules Guerassimoff almost haunted Ballymore. He gave freely of his academic knowledge in the cause of better grass growing. And when the January rains made access for the tractor mower difficult, Jules recruited a crew of his playing colleagues and a most motley collection of domestic lawn mowers so that our schedules would be kept." Red! Red! Red!

The iconic field on the banks of Breakfast Creek has been the heart of Queensland Rugby for generations of players and fans. Ballymore has currently hosted 262 capped State matches including 180 wins, and 41 Tests including 31 wins.